August 30 – “O how heavenly a thing it is to be dead and dumb and deaf to this world’s sweet music! I recommend mortification to you above anything…”

“I see that mortification, and to be crucified to the world, is not so highly accounted of by us as it should be. O how heavenly a thing it is to be dead and dumb and deaf to this world’s sweet music! …As I am at this present I would scorn to court such a [...]

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August 22 – “It is violence to corrupt nature for a man to be holy, to lie down under Christ’s feet…”

“Dear Sir, I always saw nature mighty, lofty, heady and strong in you; and that it was more for you to be mortified and dead to the world than for another common man. You will take a low ebb, and a deep cut, and long lance, to go to the bottom of your wounds in [...]

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August 19 – “Those who take that crabbed tree…shall find it such a burden as wings unto a bird or sails to a ship.”

“O how sweet are the sufferings of Christ for Christ! God forgive them that raise an ill report upon the sweet cross of Christ. It is but our weak and dim eyes, and our looking only to the black side, that makes us mistake. Those who can take that crabbed tree handsomely upon their back, and [...]

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August 18 – “…and yet without tribulations and temptations we can now no more grow than herbs or corn without rain.”

“Suffer we must; ere we were born, God decreed it; and it is easier to complain of his decree than to change it. It is true, terrors of conscience cast us down; and yet without terrors of conscience we cannot be raised us again; fears and doubtings shake us; and yet without fear and doubtings [...]

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August 16 – “Your heart is not the compass Christ saileth by.”

“And for doubtings, because you are not as you were long since with your Master, consider three things: 1. What if Christ had such tottering thoughts of the bargain of the new covenant, betwixt you and him, as you have? 2. Your heart is not the compass Christ saileth by. He will give you leave [...]

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August 15 – “The Devil is but God’s master-fencer, to teach us how to handle our weapons.”

“I find it most true, that the greatest temptation out of hell is to live without temptations. If my waters would stand, they would rot. Faith is the better for the free air and the sharp winter storm in its face. Grace withereth without adversity. The devil is but God’s master-fencer, to teach us how [...]

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“Welcome, welcome Jesus, what way soever Thou come, if we can get a sight of Thee.”

“…whether God come to His children with a rod or a crown, if He come Himself with it, it is well. Welcome, welcome Jesus, what way soever Thou come, if we can get a sight of Thee. And sure I am, it is better to be sick, providing Christ come to the bedside, and draw [...]

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“You must in all things aim at God’s honour.”

“You must in all things aim at God’s honour. You must eat, drink, sleep, buy, sell, sit, stand, speak, pray, read, and hear the Word, with a heart-purpose that God may be honoured.” Samuel Rutherford to John Clark, Letters of Samuel Rutherford, p83.

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